Sir Charles Todd Memorial

Visited: dry season

Recommendation: I stopped at this rest area to use the bathroom but was sidetracked by some great birds at the water tank. Another reminder to check out every rest area in the Outback.

This run of the mill rest area inbetween Tennant Creek and Katherine was just a quick stop to use the bathroom. And like many other rest areas, the bathrooms can be a bit hit and miss. I guess regular servicing of such remote stops is complicated and expensive. I decided against enterting the toilets and instead headed to the water tank which had around 20 Apostlebirds at it, looking for water underneath the tap. 

I love seeing Apostlebirds. They are noisy, silly and thoroughly entertaining. Lots of them came and went, in a seemingly organised rotation. The area was thick with them. 

Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea) 

As I watched them, I saw that other birds were coming in to drink. A sort of depression in the dirt had made a handy water holder and in a gap in the queue, I filled it up, retreated and watched. The Double-barred Finches, about a quarter the size of an Apostlebird started to duck and weave to get in. Every time the Apostlebirds were distracted by their squabbling, the finches would dive in quickly before disappearing to the safety of the bushes nearby.

Double-barred Finch (Taeniopygia bichenovii) 

Also in the bushes and low trees were doves. The Crested Pigeon was a bit braver than the Peaceful Dove who just sat and called gently.  

Another great find here was the Whistling Kite. Common as anything in the Outback but the way this bird sat still in the same place while I was looking for other species, made me look twice. It didn't take long for me to find the its partner, the next and a chick. All in a very ordinary looking rest area. Fantastic!

Whistling Kite (Haliastur sphenurus)